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noun

ovary

OH-vuh-ree

Ovary (noun) means a reproductive organ in females that produces eggs and, in mammals, hormones such as estrogen. Example: “The scan showed both ovaries were healthy.”

noun
1
A reproductive organ in females that produces eggs and, in mammals, hormones such as estrogen.
"The scan showed both ovaries were healthy."
2
In botany, the part of a flower that holds the ovules and later develops into fruit.
"After pollination, the ovary of the flower swells into a fruit."

How to use ovary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe egg-producing organ in females (or, in plants, the part of a flower that becomes fruit).

Common pairings
ovary function remove an ovary

Word forms

ovaries plural

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Test yourself on “ovary” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

After pollination, the _____ of the flower swells into a fruit.

Etymology

From New Latin ovarium, ultimately from Latin ovum, "egg."

Origin: New Latin

ovarium

Rhymes for ovary

See all rhymes for ovary →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ovary” mean?

The word “ovary” means a reproductive organ in females that produces eggs and, in mammals, hormones such as estrogen. In plain terms, the egg-producing organ in females (or, in plants, the part of a flower that becomes fruit).

How do you pronounce “ovary”?

“Ovary” is pronounced OH-vuh-ree (/ˈoʊvəɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “ovary” in a sentence?

Here is “ovary” used in a sentence: “After pollination, the ovary of the flower swells into a fruit.”

What is another word for “ovary”?

Words with a similar meaning to “ovary” include ovarium.

What part of speech is “ovary”?

“Ovary” is a noun.

Where does the word “ovary” come from?

The word “ovary” comes from New Latin. From New Latin ovarium, ultimately from Latin ovum, "egg.".

How many meanings does “ovary” have?

“Ovary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reproductive organ in females that produces eggs and, in mammals, hormones such as estrogen.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial